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World Kindness Day 2019

Posted on | by Henry Montesano
Happy World Kindness Day, everyone! This is a very special and globally celebrated day throughout countries around the world. Created by the World Kindness Movement, November 13th is dedicated to spreading kindness and showing compassion to one another. With all of the chaos that is going on around the world and in our daily lives, today is a day to stop and appreciate what we have and the people in our lives. Here are some simple ways to be kind to one another:
  1. Send a nice text message to a friend or family member
  2. Hold the door for a stranger
  3. Donate to a good cause
Caring for one another is something that intrinsically connects us all as human beings. It is what bridges the gaps between cultures and nations worldwide. This international holiday is the perfect opportunity to show others that you care not just today, but every day. We encourage you to celebrate World Kindness Day by donating to refugees in Greece. Many refugees have faced traumatic experiences because they have been forced from their homes and have lost everything they owned. By donating, you are showing an appreciation and compassion towards your global family.   Click here or donate below to show support for refugees in Greece, or click this link to learn more about World Kindness Day.  

SUNY Oswego Chemistry Club Water Well

Posted on | by Henry Montesano

Despite having clean water to drink and bathe in, the chemists at SUNY Oswego understand the importance of clean water in another way. At SUNY Oswego, the STEM faculty members and students have the luxury of being able to use clean water every single day for different guided lab experiments as well as in research projects. Without this clean water, these learning experiences and groundbreaking research projects would be impossible. Since the students and faculty members at SUNY Oswego understand the importance of clean water in our everyday life, we would like to be part of this project to help bring clean water to those in need. Please consider helping us fund a well in a location with little to no access to safe drinking water!

Merve’s Story

Posted on | by Henry Montesano
Embrace Relief has been hard at work monitoring the refugee crisis in Greece. As the number of migrants heading there continues to rise, we’ve been helping provide Refugees with the basics that they need including food, water, and psychiatric support. In addition, we have our English Language Conversational Partnerships Program which helps teach refugees English as it is a prominent language spoken in Europe and around the world. Recently,  We have touched base with one of the refugees who’s signed up for the program, and her name is Merve! Once a week for one hour she takes classes with her assigned tutor via video chat to practice her English speaking skills.  Here is her story: “In 2016, my family and I were forced to flee from our country due to political persecution. One day, my father, mother, little sister and brother, and I packed our things and took off for a free life. I could not understand what had happened. Suddenly, we were in Greece and my whole life was behind me. After a difficult and tiring journey, we finally reached the Greece border and were immediately sent to a Refugee Camp. Starting over in a foreign country is overwhelming and I began to lose my sense of identity. Everything was so different, I even lost track of time and didn’t realize I had spent my 16th birthday in the Refugee Camp – but that was okay because we were together and safe. Entering a foreign country can be extremely frustrating when you don’t understand the language or culture It was difficult to find a place to stay, where to eat, and to learn in school. I decided to sign up for Embrace Relief’s English Language Conversational Partnership because I thought it would help me to learn, make friends, and communicate with others around me. Embrace Relief’s English classes have given me the confidence to pursue my dreams of going to college to study either study medicine, international law, or become a surgeon in Norway or Holland. All of these schools are English speaking, and I now have to confidence to apply and earn a degree. I want to say ‘Thank You!’ to Embrace Relief for helping me with my English. I am so grateful and thankful to have the opportunity to take part in this incredible program!”   Merve’s story is truly inspiring and we cannot thank her enough for reaching out to us to talk about what she and her family had gone through. As this is an on-going crisis, and refugees will need everything they can to survive and adapt to a country completely brand new to them. You can help support Refugees today by clicking here.  

KATRE Water Well

Posted on | by Henry Montesano
Code Country Town/Village Inauguration Depth Serving
Chad Ada Isa 09.28.2019 45m / 148ft 1,200 people

New Jersey Newcomers Support Fund

Posted on | by Henry Montesano

The United States is the world’s most sought after resettlement country for refugees. Just like refugees everywhere, refugees coming to the US often end up here without the means to start a new life – just happy enough to flee from the oppression and troubles in their home country.

The United States is a great country on welcoming refugees and asylees but provides limited funds and resources for refugees. After the initial resettlement period, they struggle heavily since there are not enough structured relief services for supporting their educational, social, and financial needs. One of the important challenges many newcomers face is to find a house to live and a job to start earning income. Since they do not have a credit history in the US, it is hard for them to rent a house.

To address this issue, as a continuation of our previous Embrace the Newcomers campaign, we are launching a new fundraiser in partnership with the Turkish Cultural Center and New World Volunteers to help these newcomers. This joint fundraiser specifically aims to provide funds for Turkish refugees and asylum seekers to rent a house, purchase basic needs, pay legal fees, and cover education costs.

Jannah Water Well IV

Posted on | by Henry Montesano
Code Country Town/Village Inauguration Depth Serving
Chad Gassi 04.08.2020 45m / 148ft 1,000 people
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Cleveland Education Fund

Posted on | by Henry Montesano

Embrace Relief will be establishing a scholarship fund for college students. As many of you know, Embrace Relief is dedicated to assisting our local communities in need and helping those who are financially struggling

The cost of higher education in the United States is incredibly high and it only continues to rise, making it even more difficult for a growing number of people. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2013–2014 school year was $30,094 at private colleges, $8,893 for state residents at public colleges, and $22,203 for out-of-state residents attending public universities. For the majority of students, the only way to attend college is through securing student loans which often times only cover the cost of tuition.

Criteria for Applicants

Embrace Relief is raising money for Education Fund to give scholarships to a number of hardworking students for their undergraduate studies. In order to be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

1) A Child of a refugee family or he/she is self a refugee.

2) Possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

To apply, an applicant must write a 750-1,000 word essay about what he/she plans to do in college, how he/she plans on giving back in his/her life, and what volunteering means to him/her. We are accepting applications anytime. Please submit essays along with your full name, University, and cumulative GPA.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

A New Start for Amani Orphanage

Posted on | by Henry Montesano

It is a sad and somber truth that everyday, millions of orphans are left to fend for themselves against the cruel madness of this world.  They must fight daily to find food, water, and shelter.  This endless struggle can seem overwhelming and convince them to believe that no one will ever care for them, or see them for who they really are: A child who just wants to play, laugh, and be loved. 

Fortunately, the Amani Children’s Home located in Moshi, Tanzania, is a safe haven where they will be welcomed with open arms and a genuine smile.  Amani Orphanage has been in service since 2001 and has housed hundreds of children with a warm and safe place to sleep at night.  Although, after many years of wear and tear, it needed some tender love and care.

Before

After

Thanks to the gracious donations and our partnerships with Time to Help Foundation: Tanzania and CORE Educational Services, we have been able to complete construction on a totally renovated children’s home.  From June 15th to August 15th, people have worked tirelessly to make this a possibility.  Now bright and shining once again, Amani Children’s Home can continue their work by providing vulnerable orphans with food, water, safe shelter, and a formal education.  When a child walks through their doors, they know they will be well-taken care of and will be safe because they know they are with people who care about them.  This new and improved orphanage will help these children become independent and self-sufficient young adults.  Having had a rough start to their childhood, they will end it with comfort and confidence knowing that they have been provided the tools to take on the next chapter of their life.  Although we have collected many donations, there is still work to be done.  With continued support, Amani Children’s Home will be able to function at full efficiency and will continue to change the life of every child who walks through their doors.  Please help these children grow into confident, independent adults by making a donation. An investment in these children’s future is an investment in Tanzania’s future. Click Here to donate to improving orphan children’s lives Today!